Fox-HuxTixG. 197 



with the huntsman in their midst ; the}-^ go 

 very quietly to the covert, which perhaps 

 is a fine patch of gorse on the side of a 

 sloping hill in a crack country. The whip 

 canters off to take up his post at some quiet 

 corner, as much out of sight as possible. The 

 hounds, still keeping close to the huntsman, 

 begin to look all alive, and at the least sound 

 of the huntsman's voice, or a slight wave 

 of the hand, they bury themselves in the 

 gorse, and nothing is to be seen of them 

 except a waving stern or two, and now and 

 then a hound jumping a bush which he cannot 

 get under, with his brilliant-coloured coat 

 flashing in the sun. A whimper or two is 

 heard, then a deep note proclaiming a find. 

 In a moment the whole pack joins in the 

 glorious cry. 



'' Heav'ns ! what melodious strains ! 

 How beat our hearts, big with tumultuous joy ! " 



The crash of music has come, the fox is 

 found, and is now fairly on foot. The field 

 behave admirably; they are stationed at the 

 top of the gorse, under the eye of the master, 

 where they can see and hear all that is going 

 on; but not a movement do they make. The 



